Taking the Street Triple 765 RS around a circuit in Spain, Rich Report found out that Triumph really lives up to its name with the 128 horsepower it produces.

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In 2024, the venerable Triumph Street Triple 765 naked-bike range will be completely redesigned. Among the models are the 765 R ($10,945), the RS ($12,995), and the limited Moto2 Edition ($15,395). The latter model has already sold out everywhere but the United States. 

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Compared to the RS, the R comes with lower-level suspension and electronics, while the Moto2 Edition adds premium Ohlins suspension, racier ergonomics, and Triumph's new race colors. In southern Spain, we're testing the RS at the Circuito de Jerez.

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The Curva Alex Criville, named after the legendary Spanish racer who won his country's first MotoGP title in 1999, is a dauntingly fast right-hand corner that requires pure commitment from the rider. While revving around 7,000 rpm in fourth gear, I flip the RS. 

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The Pirelli Supercorsa SP V3 tire on the front of the bike sticks in a way that lets me know I have completed the turn quickly and with the required velocity. Before I fire back onto the straight for another lap, the chassis naturally points towards the next right-hander, the Curva Ferrari and, ultimately, the left-hand Curva Jorge Lorenzo corner. Honestly, I couldn't imagine a better machine for this challenging track.

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Thanks to the myriad changes from 2020, the RS's revised 765 cc inline-three-cylinder motor puts out 128 horsepower and 59 ft lbs of torque. The cylinder-head and piston crown have been fully machined, the compression and combustion chambers have been increased, the intake trumpets have been shortened and the gearbox has been shortened from second to sixth, resulting in a very spicy throttle response and enhanced performance at low speeds.

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A three-cylinder engine was first introduced to the Street Triple in 2017, and it's become a favorite among riders looking for an alternative to four-cylinder engines. With ample torque starting early in the rev range, this makes for a thoroughly engaging street ride, but on track it delivers sheer exhilaration, as power builds right up to the rev limiter at 12,000 rpm.

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With its plentiful yet approachable performance matched with a sublime quickshifter, the Street Triple makes a compelling case that one bike can be all things to all riders. The five-inch TFT display hides five riding modes, including one in which the rider can program individual levels of traction/wheelie control (it's a combined system), cornering ABS, and throttle responsiveness.

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Despite the hills surrounding Jerez and the circuit itself, it's the chassis that really shines. With Showa's Big Piston Fork and Hlins STX40 monoshock at the rear, the RS rides smoothly and comfortably on the road, while also offering excellent braking precision thanks to Brembo monobloc calipers and MCS master cylinders.

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On the track, once you've adjusted your suspension for a bit more preload support at both ends, the RS comes alive and begs to be ridden aggressively. You can brake and turn later on the bike because it has excellent front-end stability; then jam the throttle and let the traction control prevent you from high-siding. 

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A beautiful song is being sung by the three-cylinder mill all the while. Known for its mechanical grip, this motorcycle lets you turn at maximum speed while feeling in total control. On machines with more than 1,000 cc, however, the opposite is often true.

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A massive motorcycle for the money, the 2024 Triumph Street Triple RS will be available in April. This is a hooligan bike that's grown a few manners with LED lighting front and rear, a full suite of ride-assist electronics, and a sharper yet more sophisticated bodywork.